Orchestra Returns to Leadville on Friday

Orchestra Returns to Leadville on Friday

The Alpine Orchestra kicks off its annual fall concert series this Friday, Nov. 16 in downtown Leadville. As the first stop for their series, “A Grab Bag of Fun, Inspiring, and Familiar Tunes,” the band of merry musicians will perform at the Old Church located at W. 8^th and historic Harrison Avenue, starting at 7:30 p.m.

Musical compositions will include: Grieg ‘s “The Holberg Suite,” Handel’s “Hornpipe from Water Music,”  Strauss’ “Die Fledermaus,” “Scherzo Colombine,” by Chaminade,  Rachmaninov’s “Vocalise,” “Fold Song and Hunter’s Chorus,” by Von Weber, and “God of Our Fathers,” from Warren.

The Alpine Orchestra has been serving and performing for the upper Arkansas Valley for 24 years. Conducted by Beth Steele, this concert series is offered free of charge to families of all size and age, with donations happily accepted to help defray the expenses. If you miss the Leadville performance on Friday, the fall series continues on Saturday, Nov. 17 in Salida at the SteamPlant located at Sackett & G Streets, starting at 7:30 p.m., and in Sunday, Nov. 18 in Buena Vista at Clearview Community Church for an afternoon performance starting at 3 p.m.

For more about The Alpine Orchestra, visit their website or Facebook page.

About the Alpine Orchestra

Conductor Beth Steele

According to their website, The Alpine Orchestra began as an idea for allowing local musicians to play together. The group was born May 14, 1991, when some interested people met and made a plan for the acquisition of music,  rehearsal space and set a time for rehearsing.  people attended the first rehearsal that June of 1991; they were in donated space with borrowed music and equipment but the orchestra was launched. The Alpine Orchestra’s first concerts followed that August and the group has been preparing and performing 3 concerts a year since.  The Alpine Orchestra incorporated as a non-profit organization in December 1991.

From those first humble beginnings, the Orchestra has grown into a “family” of 40+ members, all residents of Lake and Chaffee Counties, and ranging in age from 14 to 85. Their members include people from a variety of professions, with all levels of education and musical experience. The orchestra has been led by six different conductors, acquiring valuable knowledge, skills and experience from each of them. Through generous donations from ever-growing audiences and from members themselves, the group now has several pieces of equipment and is building a moderate library of musical compositions.

As it begins its third decade, the Alpine Orchestra continues to strive for excellence in fulfilling its purpose of sharing the enjoyment of music with the community and expanding opportunities for talented young musicians.